Our pool is strong enough to field two Indian teams, says Shreyas Iyer

The right-hander is extremely determined to find a place in the squad for the World Cup next year.

Aware of the immensely stern competition for places in Indian Cricket, right-hand batsman Shreyas Iyer says that the country has enough talent "to field two Indian teams" and while it does add to the pressure on the players, the situation is great for the overall health of the system.

Iyer, who has played 6 ODIs and as many T20Is for India, talked about challenging career that he has had so far and the dream to play the World Cup next year, in an interview with India Today and said, "I will keep on trying till the end as it is my dream to play the 2019 World Cup. I have the belief that I will make it," before revealing, "I couldn't make it to the ODI squad (against the West Indies) but I was expecting my selection in the T20 format as I have done well recently."

"Good thing is that I am in the T20 squad going to Australia too. So, at the back of my mind, I know that I have been given a long run to perform," he added.

Having followed good showing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy with a brilliant knock of 148 in the Deodhar Trophy final, Iyer further said, "I am really happy as till the start of Vijay Hazare Trophy, I didn't even have a single ton next to my name this season. But after that scoring three centuries in just over a month and that too in a less number of games gives a great feeling to any batsman," and stressed, "Competition in all these tournaments has been really good so a good show personally gives a lot of self-belief."

In line with this, Iyer also emphasized that good technical changes and better understanding of the game has helped him immensely and intimated, "I always used to struggle a bit at the start and after going through the initial phase dominated the bowling. I realised this very late. Now, I know well how to construct my innings," before affirming, "This is one positive which has come in my batting this year. I have been learning a lot watching other players bat too be it Ajinkya Rahane or anyone else."

"This (healthy competition) is a great thing. If you see, with so much talent available, we can actually make two Indian teams," he assessed and signed off by saying, "We are getting to see a hundred in every game. This is such a good thing for Indian cricket."